Set Up a Cupcake Bar With These Sweet Ideas

Cupcakes make the perfect centerpiece for a party, whether it's for children or adults with a sweet tooth. Everyone loves a cupcake! For a fun and unique entertaining option, you can create your own cupcake bar and allow guests to take over decorating duties. It allows for interaction, creativity, and is an all around fun activity with a sweet end goal: eating them!

Cupcakes

You can bake cupcakes from scratch, but there's nothing wrong with purchasing pre-made cupcakes. If you want to give guests the option of frosting their own cupcakes, simply scrape off the frosting. Or, if you contact a local bakery, they might be able to provide cupcakes without frosting.

Tip

Get a more in-depth look at the best cupcake tools and equipment here (both for baking and decorating).

Frostings and Buttercreams

(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

If guests will be frosting their own cupcakes, it's nice to offer a variety of colors and/or flavors. These can be purchased from the store, or prepared from scratch. A bit of food coloring can turn a big divided batch of vanilla frosting into a rainbow of options. You can either use piping bags and tips, or simply leave the frosting in bowls with spatulas for a more simple frosting method.

Tip

Unsure whether to offer frosted or unfrosted cupcakes? Why not offer some of each?

Candy Decors

There are endless candy decor options for cupcakes available at local supermarkets and craft stores. Cupcake liners are an easy and whimsical way to present the treats to guests.

(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

Gel Icing

It's a good idea to keep a few different colored gel icings around for anyone who wants to write or draw on the cupcakes. Total creative freedom!

(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

Stick Toppers

There are plenty of options for cupcake toppings on sticks, from lollipops to stick umbrellas or creative candles. Craft stores have an especially wide variety.

(Image: Jennifer Farley - SavorySimple.net)

Cookies

Mini cookies make a delicious cupcake topping, and they add a wonderful crunch.